Getting Personal with Oliver Makin

Oliver Makin - finding a wife, chilli con carne and all things Europe

Who are you? Oliver Makin, Head Groundsman at OH Leuven, Belgium.

Family status. Single no children.

Who's your hero and why? Andrew Flintoff. I'm a big cricket fan and played for Rochdale CC before I moved to Belgium.

What would you change about yourself? Have smaller feet as it's so difficult to get trainers in my size that I actually want!

What's your guilty pleasure? Genuinely can't think of one.

What's been the highlight of your career so far? Theres been a couple; one would be when I was at Rochdale Football Club. We were the only game on in the whole division and also went through the whole season without having a game called off; which had never been done before at Rochdale. Also, being head groundsman here in Belgium is the best decision I have ever made. In my cricket career, it would be playing for Hampshire 2nd XI away at Surrey at Wimbledon Cricket Club and taking eight wickets in one innings.

What are your pet peeves? People who just walk on your pitch thinking it's a public park.

If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be? Sri Lanka or Barbados to watch England cricket.

What's the best part of your job? Cutting the pitch in the summer in shorts and T-shirt. Also, having the opportunity to prepare a surface for a sport you love and seeing the overall outcome of your hard work.

… and the worst? Frost covers!!!

Do you have a lifetime ambition? When I was younger, I lived in Milan for three years and I just love the San Siro. So, I suppose one day, I would love to be the head groundsman there.

Favourite record, and why? Cavorting by the Courteeners. I'm from Manchester and they're a local band. I'm into my Manchester music big time.

Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? My Mrs; when I find one!!

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Pay off my mortgage and go on holiday around the world for a couple of months.

Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party? Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Andrew Flintoff.

Do you have any bad habits? I like crisps a bit too much!

Do you go to bed worrying about the next day's workload? Normally no, as I like to think I have everything planned. The only time I will go to bed worrying is if the weather forecast is bad and we have a game the next day!

What are you reading at the moment? Joey Thompson's autobiography (Rochdale AFC player).

What's the best advice you have ever been given? Respect others. You never know when you may need to call upon them.

What's your favourite smell? Home cooked chilli con carne cooking away in the oven!

What do you do in your spare time? Socialise with family and friends, play cricket and travel to different places in the world (mainly in Europe).

What's the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? When it's been frosty, can you not just pump hot water into the sprinkler pipes to thaw it out?

What's your favourite piece of kit? It's got to be the new Dennis Rotaries or the Toro ProCore.

What three words would you use to describe yourself? Hard-working, sociable, easy going.

What talent would you like to have? To be able to sing.

What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? To be allowed to use Carbendazim again.

To view the full Oud-Heverlee Leuven article click here